101 Ways to Dance

Published by Second Story Press

Fourteen stories about the joys and anxieties of sexual anticipation

Age Level

Grades 9 to 12

Curriculum Connections

Sexuality, diversity, LGBTQ

Discussion Questions

Kathy Stinson believes that there are many ways for human beings to be different from each other – through gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities and disabilities – but that what makes human beings alike is more profoundly important than any of these differences. Do you agree or disagree? Can you articulate why?

Why do you think some people are attracted to the opposite sex, some to the same sex, and some to both? Is your community one where a person would feel comfortable being open with their sexual orientation?

Kathy Stinson recalls her teen years as being an acutely sensual time. Can you find evidence of this in the sensual imagery in these stories (i.e. images evoking any of the five senses)?

Which sensual image(s) stood out for you in that they helped you see, smell, feel, etc., what a character was experiencing?

In the descriptions of landscape in some of the stories in this collection are examples of sensual imagery that seem to be suggestively male, or female. Even though Kathy Stinson didn’t consciously set out to do this, she is pleased with how they feel integral to the "sexual anticipation" theme of the stories. Do you think the imagery enhances the stories or detracts from them?

Discussion questions specific to each story appear at the back of the book.

Reviews

… about the one thing on every teen’s mind: sex. This collection of short stories delves into the emotional whirlwind of love, lust and longing. Each story views sexual desire and love from a different perspective…

Liam O’Donnell, Canadian Bookseller, September/October 2006

Fresh, candid, brief and insightful. [The stories] avoid didacticism and yet provide much room for reflection, and for simply savouring. … a small gem that will hopefully find its way into the hands, and hearts, of hordes of teen readers.

Lisa Doucet, Canadian Children’s Book News, Fall 2006

A daring collection of short stories about teenagers who are trying to get a handle on their exploding emotions and various sexual exploits. When someone recommended this book to me, I hesitated. For me, Kathy Stinson was presented by Red is Best, my all-time favorite kids' book. I thought something might collapse if I ventured beyond that, but am I ever glad that I did.

Kelly McClure, Off The Shelf, September/October 2006